It was a beautiful day in Jacksonville. And a wonderful day of worship at Shiloh.

Our new Bible Study Fellowship group semester began yesterday. It was great to see the saints gathering for classes.

I am teaching a class this semester on the Epistle of 1 Timothy.

I did part 1 of an introduction to the letter. Actually, the lesson is only 1 part. But I didn’t finish it.

I have never taught through 1 Timothy. I look forward to studying and teaching it.

Praise God for the one brother who was baptized.

I resumed my study of 1 John with a message on 1 John 3:4-10 that I called “stop Sinning!” 

I argued that you cannot live for Christ and live in sin at the same time.

I presented five ways to overcome sinful patterns of life:

1. Call sin what it is (3:4)
2. Focus on the Lord Jesus Christ (3:5-6)
3. Let no one deceive you (3:7)
4. Recognize your spiritual enemy (3:8-9)
5. Examine your conversion (3:10)

I do not often outline in lists like this.

This was not an easy passage to study or to prepare to preach. I almost bailed out Saturday. But I am glad that I stuck it out.

I am grateful for those who prayed for me and encouraged me this week as I prepared to preach.

Preaching and praying go together.

Note to self: No meetings after service in the future.

The USC Trojans let me down yesterday. losing 14-21 to Stanford. So goes our BCS Championship hopes.

To all the USC Trojans “haters” (I am allowed to use that word twice a year. Now I’m out for the year), you were right. I was wrong. Unless Alabama and LSU both fall!

Alabama and LSU are back on top of the NCAA polls. I have no argument, at this point.

Both the Dallas Cowboys and the Jacksonville Jaguars lost this afternoon by the score of. 27-7. Could this be an omen of things to come?

The New York Yankees are still in a dogfight to win their division.

Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez signed this weekend to fight for a fourth time. Yes, fourth time. Why? Oh yeah. Money.

I am shocked that beat Sergio Martinez whipped Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Saturday night. I didn’t see the fight. But I understand that Martinez dominated the first eleven rounds, until Chavez almost knocked him out in last round. Martinez held on for a unaminous decision.

Did you hear that Jerry “the King” Lawler had a heart attach ringside, during a WWE event this week? Lawler has been wrestling since I was a boy. Hope he recovers.

I have very important news to report. The iPhone 5 arrives September 21.

So how was your Sunday? How did your teams do this week? Join the conversation in the comments section.